At 3 a.m. on July 31st, 2008 unknown assailants sprayed Jonathan Legaria Vargas' car with over 150 bullets, killing him instantly but sparing his two passengers. Known as both "Padrino (Godfather) Endoque' and "Comandante Pantera," Vargas was a charismatically outspoken leader in the growing public devotional tradition surrounding Santa Muerte. With the creation of a … Continue reading San Padrino Endoque – The first saint of Santa Muerte
Death & Santa Muerte – Elliot Edge in conversation with researcher David Metcalfe
The Cult of Santa Muerte has grown to encompass millions of followers spanning from Chile to Canada, and more recently around the globe. In this 3 hour presentation, Elliot Edge joins researcher and writer David Metcalfe in conversation about this new representation of death taking over the Americas, as well as comments on death in culture, … Continue reading Death & Santa Muerte – Elliot Edge in conversation with researcher David Metcalfe
La Nina de Muchas Caras – The many faces of Santa Muerte
When one begins to search for Santa Muerte, it quickly becomes apparent that as she travels through the Americas, and now around the globe, she does so with an ever changing face. As death itself, she wears many masks, suited to the personal predilections of those she approaches. Although her devotees in Mexico and the … Continue reading La Nina de Muchas Caras – The many faces of Santa Muerte
Death in the UK: An Interview with Michael Caleigh, One of the First European Devotees of Santa Muerte
Our European ancestors brought the Grim Reaper to the New World a few centuries ago, and now devotees of Saint Death in the Americas have returned the favor by exporting Santa Muerte back across the Atlantic. Over the past five years I’ve observed a number of surprising new trends in the astronomical growth of the cult of the … Continue reading Death in the UK: An Interview with Michael Caleigh, One of the First European Devotees of Santa Muerte
Altares Digitales – Online offerings to Most Holy Death
Retablos, or devotional paintings, are a familiar aspect of Latin American Catholicism. These heart felt offerings, along with ex-votos which depict specific miracles, have become popular for their aesthetic qualities and as examples of folk art that transcends spiritual boundaries. The following ex-voto from 1935 gives an idea for those unfamiliar with the form, it … Continue reading Altares Digitales – Online offerings to Most Holy Death
Santa Muerte – Saint of Love
"In Sebastopol,California, at the Flea Market, where i first encountered her image on a novena booklet, which cost $9.00, i asked the old woman selling it, in my broken ugly Spanish: "La Santisima Meurte -- la razon por la que? [gesture of praying hands] Por que ... oracion? -- and she replied, "Matrimonio." - Catherine Yronwode, proprietor of Lucky … Continue reading Santa Muerte – Saint of Love
An Explosion in Monterrey – Santa Muerte under fire
Violence continues to follow Santa Muerte's public presence in northern Mexico with a recent explosion in Monterrey, the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo Leon, which destroyed a public shrine to the skeleton saint. Reports in the Mexican news indicate that some witnesses have mentioned the possibility of a grenade, however no shrapnel … Continue reading An Explosion in Monterrey – Santa Muerte under fire
More from Matamoros – Bishop issues call for tolerance of Santa Muertistas
In another surprising turn in the recent municipal attacks on Santa Muerte shrines in Matamoros, Ruy Rendon Leal, bishop of the Diocese of Matamoros, is calling for tolerance and open dialogue between the Catholic church and followers of Santa Muerte. He is saying that in these trying times 'Good Samaritans' and mutual help are more … Continue reading More from Matamoros – Bishop issues call for tolerance of Santa Muertistas
The adoration of death (Die anbetung des todes) by Andreas Robertz
Click Here for the original German language article from Andreas Robertz on the Deutzlandfunk website. This repost is an edited version of the Google translation. The piece is also available as a German language podcast - To listen Click Here. Death has always played an unusually prominent role in the everyday life of Mexico. When Santa … Continue reading The adoration of death (Die anbetung des todes) by Andreas Robertz
Born Again in Matamoros – Santa Muerte shrines reappear after destruction
When reports emerged that Leticia Salazar Vazquez, Mayor of Matamoros, a town on the border of the United States and Mexico, had ordered military action against a shrine dedicated to Santa Muerte it seemed to be a continuation of the aggressive stance the Catholic church has taken toward the burgeoning devotional tradition in Mexico. Coming … Continue reading Born Again in Matamoros – Santa Muerte shrines reappear after destruction
Most Holy Death 